How interprovincial trade barriers are hurting Canada’s economy and burdening exporters

While we have placed international trade in a position of national importance, making every effort to expand and grow our trading relationships globally, our domestic trade remains limited, blocked by interprovincial barriers that cost our industries billions of dollars through their inefficiencies.

John Treleaven, CITP|FIBP

John Treleaven is Principal and founder of The Treleaven Consulting Group. He has spent 32 years in the Canadian Foreign Service working abroad and in Ottawa in a variety of positions with a trade and economic focus. He is an expert in Canadian international trade and is focused on improving trade in Canada based on business friendly local communities.

It’s time for SMB’s to consider inorganic growth strategies to expand globally

From the tale of the tortoise and the hare, to the African proverb which counsels eating the elephant one bite at a time, we’re conditioned to tackle challenges with consistent and deliberate effort. That conditioning and mindset, though, has both positive and negative implications to companies’ global growth plans. For some SMB’s considering inorganic growth strategies is the only way forward.

Ed Marsh

Ed Marsh founded and runs Consilium Global Business Advisors and is Export Advisor for American Express. He is an expert in 'industrial grade' business growth consulting for mid-size manufacturing companies. Ed loves and excels at recognizing and creating business opportunities; at synthesizing the science/engineering with the art/design; at connecting the business strategy dots; and at challenging traditional assumptions.

FITT-ALDO intern is wowing her new colleagues with enthusiasm, experience and know-how

“In every class there are always a couple of students who bring energy, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit to the group. When an amazing opportunity such as an internship appears, they are quick to recognize the challenge and rise to it.” Ennio Vita-Finzi, Professor of the International Commerce Import/Export program at LaSalle College in Montreal, is talking about this year’s FITT-ALDO intern, Caroline Zhang.

Pamela Hyatt

I am the Content Marketing Specialist for the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). You can find some of my work on TradeReady.ca. My background is in copywriting, journalism and social media. My passion lies in connecting people to the stories that are most important to them.

13 ways Canadian SME’s can improve on their dismal export rates

For all the talk about Canada being a trading nation, we aren’t when it comes to small and medium sized enterprises. While SME’s account for roughly 95 percent of all companies in Canada, and create 65 percent of all jobs, Canadian SME export rates are at less than 2 percent.

Doug Taylor, CITP|FIBP

Doug, CITP|FIBP, is the Managing Director of Pacific Business Intelligence Ltd. (PBI). PBI provides professional consulting services in the core areas of international business development, strategic market planning and corporate guidance. PBI has undertaken assignments in over thirty countries in East and West Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East and the Caribbean for private industry, governments and international organizations.

9 incredible statistics that show the importance and scale of international trade

Despite its critical importance, most people probably have no clear picture of the real scope of international trade. Here are some incredible international trade statistics to help give perspective to this crucial industry.

Bennett O'Brien

Bennett O'Brien is a freelance writer from the state of Massachusetts in the United States. He holds a bachelor's degree from Westfield State University, and graduated cum laude. Currently he is expanding his freelance writing career, and enjoying the opportunity to write on a variety of business topics.

How I am leveraging my education and experience for trade impact

I first became interested in trade during my time at business school in the Netherlands. The experience opened my eyes to many of the non-tariff barriers that enterprises face in reaching export markets and how businesses from a “small country” can actively participate in international trade. Now I am leveraging my experience and education for trade impact.

Craig Atkinson, CITP

Craig Atkinson is the Founder and Director of Lexmerca International Trade and a Trade Development Specialist with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Active in the field of digital trade, Craig participates in projects with multiple international organizations, academic institutions, technology foundations, and standards bodies. Academically, he is a Non-Resident Fellow with the World Trade Institute (WTI) as well as a Research Affiliate with the Singapore Management University (SMU) Centre for AI and Data Governance and the SMU Centre for Computational Law. Professionally, Craig has been a FITT Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) since 2011.

Canada and Mexico get bullish over COOL meat trade wars with U.S.

A dispute over meat imports and exports between the U.S. and trading partners Canada and Mexico is starting to heat up, following a decision in late May by the World Trade Organization. The COOL meat trade wars with U.S. are heating up.

Jacqueline Côté

I am a working journalist, with experience as SNL Financial’s Canadian correspondent for its Mining and Metals vertical. I also served as the Managing Editor for Central Asia Newswire – covering daily economic and investment news in the region – as well as Features Editor for the Washington-based Magharebia.com, which covers developments in the North Africa region. I have been published in The Montreal Gazette, The Guardian (UK), The New Statesman (UK), Red Pepper (UK), Geopolitical Monitor and CNN.com.

Exporters and Rules of Origin: Get in on NAFTA’s benefits and avoid heavy penalties

The “Rules of Origin” under NAFTA are the criteria used to determine the country of origin of a product that is being imported or exported within the NAFTA region.
As part of NAFTA, the United States, Canada and Mexico (the “Parties”) have all agreed to reduce and/or eliminate tariffs on goods that originate from their respective territories. However, the Parties continue to apply significantly higher tariffs to goods that do not originate in one of the NAFTA countries.

Catherine Walsh

Catherine Walsh joined Conlin Bedard LLP as an Associate in 2016 and specializes in the areas of international trade law, business and investment. Catherine was on the board of directors of OWIT (Organization of Women in International Trade) from 2013-2015, and has also co-authored several published articles on the topic of international investment and trade relations.

Diana de la Huerta Gaston, CITP|FIBP – Trade Commissioner Assistant

Since becoming a Trade Commissioner Assistant, Diana has relentlessly pursued opportunities to train and educate herself, and views her new designation as proof that she has all of the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to stand out as a leading professional in her field.

Ewan Roy

I'm a Digital Marketing Specialist for the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). My background is in writing and research, and I am passionate about communicating new ideas and telling stories that matter to you.

Ignoring international business competition is no longer an option for SMEs

In the past, smaller firms tended to focus on local and domestic markets. Moreover, when protectionism was rampant, smaller firms tended to be insulated from international markets. Distances, unique cultural characteristics, politics, tariffs and regulations all combined to protect them from international business competition.

FITT Team

The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is the standards, certification and training body dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. Created by business for business, FITT’s international business training solutions are the standard of excellence for global trade professionals around the world.